day 3...

I am thankul for my cameras (and a dad who enjoys buying them for me). He has always loved photography. He is amazing. I don't think you will EVER find more amazing pictures than the ones he took of his kids when we were all little. He captured the every day better than I can ever dream of doing. I've inherited that passion. I am SO thankful that photoshoots are able to supplement our income. I always seem to be busiest when we need the money the most. What a blessing. Don't you just love my niece Charlotte in her neighborhood overlooking the Puget Sound?

2...

I am thankful for the plan of salvation. A knowledge that this life is not IT. There is more, with our families and loved ones. I am 100% confident that families can be eternal. I know it. I have known it for a long time. I remember attending my Grandmother's funeral when I was much younger. I also remember not crying enough at that funeral. At least I didn't feel like it was enough. I cry a lot. The tears just weren't coming that day. In my little girl heart and mind, I KNEW that Grandmother was once again with Pop. He had died a few years earlier. I knew they were together and that brought me peace, not sadness.

I have no doubt. I know.

what am I thankful for?

Today I am thankful that this beauty is on it's way to our house. Our kitchen aid died on Sunday...and a part of me died with it. We have had it for at least 10 years, and it was finished. We used our mixer all the time. Many times a week, at least. I loved it. I thought it was pretty. Not quite sure if this one is a little TOO green, but we will just make it work. Dave gets oodles of rewards points as the purchasing manager for his work. He works hard so that I can get things like this without spending a red cent. I am thankful for THAT.

Also thankful for a little girl named Molly who handed me 6 small boxes of DOTS and 5 mini Almond Joy bars after trick-or-treating. I told her I just couldn't take them. They were HERS. She told me that she walked up to each house just hoping they would have DOTS and Almond Joys so she could get them for me. Who knew she loved me so much?

happiness...

I saw this recently and I love it. It goes well with the thoughts I have been having lately. Happiness is everywhere. All around us. And I'll tell you what...I don't want to miss it. I wish that all people could be happy all the time. I wish there was no pain. Sorrow. Mourning. I realize that there has to be. I KNOW that, but it doesn't mean I can't wish.

I have some friends who are experiencing real sorrow right now. I can't stop thinking about them. They enter my mind many, many times a day. When I'm happy and just plugging along, they enter my mind. Then I'm reminded of their sorrow and I ache for them. I worry that I shouldn't be happy. That if their lives are turned upside down right now, mine should be too. I think it is part of the whole "mourn with those that mourn" idea. They are dealing with loss and pain, and oh, how I wish I could fix it. Take that pain away.

We don't write the entire story of our lives ourselves. I guess you could say we are co-authors. Someone much more knowledgable is in charge. He has a plan. His plan may be quite different from ours. From what we think we want and need. Loss and pain are part of that plan and I hate it. But I also love it. He knows us. He loves us. He is fully aware of us and our deepest sorrows. He also gives us opportunities to feel joy...all the time. This quote reminds me to stop searching for something to "make" me happy. To look around me. Look at my family. Look at my friends. Look at the blessings in my life and be happy NOW. Happiness is here.

*source

wishing...

Today I am wishing for:

*More patience with my children.

*A kinder, softer Amy.

*Warmer toes.

*Rachel & Laura to have a FABULOUS birthday!

*Lots of money to come in the mail.

*A fast Thursday so I can get to my weekend. :)

*People I love to be happy.

lydia temple gehring...

Guess where I got to go. :) I just got back from a 4 day trip to Washington to see the Gehring's and meet my newest niece Lydia. Lydia Temple Gehring. I love that Laura used our last name as her middle name. Love it. I wish I had done the same thing. I am in love with this baby. She is soft and beautiful and peaceful. Laura sure has her hands full with the baby and her big sisters Charlotte and Elsie, but she is doing an amazing job, even if she thinks she isn't. I love going to visit them. I hate leaving. I am always anxious to see my family again, my sweet husband, my darling children, but I hate leaving. I feel like I left a part of me in Tacoma.

a choice...

After a wonderful weekend full of beautiful, inspired messages, this is what I came away with. Actually, I came away with several things. Several things I would like to change about myself in the very near future. Changes that will make me a better person. Changes that will make my life richer. Changes that will make me happier. This particular change is the start. The most important for me right now. I will choose my children first. Over friends, over texting, over television, but mostly over the computer. Those 5 little people are FIRST in my life. I know it, but I need them to know it. There needs to never be any question. This sign will stay on the door to my computer room until I learn how to better balance my time. How to turn away from unimportant things to focus on those that are MOST important. I'll still post, edit pictures, read facebook updates...I'll just choose my kids first.